Under the bill, school districts could receive grants from the state Justice Department for three consecutive years to pay armed security officers in schools with grades 5-12. The grants would cover 75 percent of the cost the first year, 50 percent the second year and 25 percent the first year. The bill doesn't specify how large the grants would be or where DOJ would get the money.

The bill also would make purchasing a gun for someone prohibited from possessing one a felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison. Repeat firearm violators would face a new mandatory four-year prison sentence through mid-2022.

The Assembly passed the measure 71-24 on Tuesday. The bill now goes to the state Senate.

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4:50 p.m.

The state Assembly is debating a gun control bill hours after Republican Speaker Robin Vos said he didn't believe the body would pass anything before the chamber's two-year session ends Thursday.

Assembly Democrats pressured Republicans to use Tuesday's floor debate to pass three of their bills that would mandate universal background checks, prohibit domestic violence convicts from possessing guns and prohibit bump stock sales.

Vos told reporters before the debate began there was no broad support for the bills and accused Democrats of trying to grab headlines.

Minutes after debate began, Democrats moved to place the background check bill on the day's agenda. In a surprise move, Republicans agreed. They then amended the bill to remove any mention of background checks and instead create a grant program to pay armed guards in schools. Democrats countered with another amendment restoring background checks.

The two sides were still fighting over amendments three hours after the floor debate began.

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1 p.m.

Wisconsin Republican Attorney General Brad Schimel says he is open to allowing teachers and others to be armed in schools.